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RJ Abarrientos picks the most effective time to set a brand new profession excessive in scoring as Barangay Ginebra stays alive within the PBA playoffs, dragging twice-to-beat Converge to a do-or-die conflict
MANILA, Philippines – Rely on RJ Abarrientos to avoid wasting Christmas for Barangay Ginebra.
Similar to the identical time in 2024, Abarrientos got here up large because the Gin Kings stayed alive within the 2025-26 PBA Philippine Cup with a 105-85 win over Converge within the quarterfinals on the Mall of Asia Enviornment on Thursday, December 25.
The sophomore guard poured 30 of his career-high 35 factors within the second half and added 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and a pair of assists, paving the best way for Ginebra to tug the twice-to-beat FiberXers to a do-or-die conflict for a ultimate 4 berth.
It was a efficiency that introduced again recollections of Abarrientos’ Christmas Day heroics in 2024, when he helped the Gin Kings erase a 22-point deficit and assisted on a Scottie Thompson game-winner in an exhilarating 95-92 victory over rival Magnolia.
This time, although, it was all about Abarrientos discovering the underside of the web as he completed with an ultra-efficient 12-of-18 capturing clip, together with 6 of 8 from three-point distance.
“I wish to say it’s the RJ present. He had an amazing second half,” mentioned Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.
“He’s acquired that functionality. Everyone knows about it. We’ve seen it from the previous. He can get going virtually Steph Curry-like. He can simply discover an space and throw it up and it’s going to go in,” added Cone, referring to the all-time three-point chief of the NBA.
Abarrientos hardly made his presence within the first half as he tallied simply 5 factors, 1 rebound, 1 help, and 1 steal in opposition to 2 turnovers earlier than he hit his stride.
The recent-shooting guard scattered 11 factors within the third quarter, together with a late three-pointer that gave Ginebra a 70-64, after which utterly took over the sport as he exploded for 19 factors within the fourth interval on the again of 4 three-pointers.
Abarrientos practically matched Converge, which scored simply 21 factors within the ultimate body.
“I truly complained to him somewhat in the midst of the second quarter. I informed him he wasn’t searching for his shot. He was passing the ball, and I mentioned he must search for his shot. He got here out second half and appeared for it, and it went in,” mentioned Cone.
Thompson additionally delivered within the win with a triple-double of 13 factors, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and a pair of steals, whereas Japeth Aguilar produced 16 factors, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Justine Baltazar had 19 factors, 13 rebounds, and a pair of steals within the loss because the FiberXers missed their first crack at their first semifinal look in franchise historical past.
The sudden demise is ready on Sunday, December 28, on the similar venue. – Rappler.com
